Content warning: Please note this report includes descriptions of sexual assault
Ashley Massaro’s case is getting even more attention, and this is thanks to recently-released documents that provides a lot more context and details about what allegedly happened during that WWE overseas tour.
At least five reporters received emails informing them about Freedom of Information Act responses awaiting them. These responses were related to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation concerning a rape allegation made by former WWE performer Ashley Massaro in a 2017 affidavit. Now, the contents of that paperwork causing many to take a closer look at this troubling story.
Tragically, Ashley Massaro died by suicide on May 16, 2019, at the age of 39. Her death came as a shock to her fans and colleagues in the wrestling world. Her passing sparked discussions about mental health awareness and the pressures faced by individuals in the entertainment industry. Her story from that WWE tour in Kuwait also surfaced once again.
New Information
This affidavit about Ashley Massaro’s case was made public by her lawyer after her May 2019 death by suicide. Excluding the response letter, the document consists of 79 pages, including blank pages indicating redactions of entire pages or page ranges. All names in the file, including those of witnesses and investigators, are redacted except for Massaro’s.
Interesting enough, the file contains some new information, including corroborating details shared by both Massaro and WWE when she initially made the allegations in court in 2016 and 2017.
David Bixenspan was one of the reporters who received this information. He did not post the whole file, because detectives apparently didn’t properly redact the identity of one witness, but other details were revealed.
The NCIS file reveals crucial information in its midpoint, notably in the summary of the NCIS interview with the individual identified in Massaro’s medical records as the physician assistant who treated her.
According to the interview summary, “[Redacted] stated he recalled MASSARO complained of abdominal and pelvic pain.” Furthermore, “[Redacted] recalled that MASSARO was accompanied by a male civilian that he did not recognize, but he recalled someone in the clinic saying it was [redacted]. [Redacted] stated [redacted] seemed to be acting skittish and strange. [Redacted] described [redacted] as a [redacted] male, in his thirties, [redacted] hair, perhaps had a mustache, and was well built.” Notably, this description does not match anyone from the WWE entourage present at the time.
Additionally, the interview summary reveals, “[Redacted] stated that when he first saw MASSARO[,] he believed she was drowsy, but she was not falling asleep during conversation or slurring her words. [Redacted] recalled someone else working in the facility may have said that ‘she was high’ but [redacted] was uncertain. [Redacted[ stated he had little experience with people on drugs or alcohol, so he was not sure.” This information, although not surprising given Massaro’s past struggles with drug addiction, gains significance when considered alongside other details from the interview.
Additional Information
Post Wrestling also obtained this file, and their report highlighted the confusion surrounding the location of the alleged assault. Initially believed to have occurred at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Massaro’s medical records indicated she was treated at Camp Patriot, Aerial Port of Demarcation, Troop Medical Clinic, which is located 90 minutes away from the base.
An interview with the physician assistant who treated Massaro on June 25, 2019, stood out among the documents.
According to the newly-released document, the assistant had a vivid recollection of treating Massaro and provided a diagram of the facility’s layout and the location where he attended to her. He was called in on a Sunday to treat “a civilian” who complained of abdominal and pelvic pain, and that civilian was Massaro.
During the examination, the assistant noted Massaro was accompanied by a male civilian who “seemed to be acting skittish and strange” and didn’t match the description of any WWE personnel on the tour. He described the man as “in his thirties…perhaps had a mustache, and was well-built.”
Although Massaro appeared drowsy, she did not fall asleep or slur her words. However, someone in the facility questioned if she was high. The assistant was uncertain about this.
Despite concerns about Massaro’s state, she appeared lucid during the questioning portion of the exam and consented to a pelvic exam.
David Bixenspan also raised questions about the practice of conducting a pelvic exam given Massaro’s condition and the uncertainty surrounding her state.
There could be a lot more to this story as new information is made known. Sadly, Ashley Massaro is no longer around to tell her story. Through her passing, she has not been forgotten, and there are many who still want justice for whatever happened in Kuwait.